wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] OGA mission: offsetting emissions

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ECUNET.ORG>]

Note #8407 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

OGA mission: offsetting emissions
GA04114
July 2, 2004

OGA mission: offsetting emissions

Support of 'wind farm' is repentance for Assembly-related pollution

by Vicki Fogel Mykles

RICHMOND, July 2 - The Environmental Justice Office of the National
Ministries Division estimated that the 216th General Assembly would produce
50 tons of carbon dioxide pollution, mostly from energy expended to run the
event and to transport participants to and from Richmond.

The pollution is unavoidable. But the EJO, using this year's "pollutant
index," has made an offsetting contribution to NativeEnergy in support of the
continued development work on renewable energy resources.

The PC(USA) gift will help pay for the second phase of construction of a wind
turbine project in South Dakota owned by the Rosebud Sioux tribe.

This premier Native American-owned and -operated large-scale "wind farm" will
construct a facility that will provide 58,651 kilowatt-hours of clean,
renewable energy over its 25-year operating life. The electricity produced
will directly offset 50 tons of carbon dioxide and other air pollutants.

According to Deborah Davies, manager of Assembly service, "The Office of the
General Assembly (OGA) was mandated in 1990 to reduce and recycle the waste
created by a meeting of this magnitude."

In response, Davies' office developed the e-commissioner program to help
reduce paper and postage expenses. When commissioners register, they receive
a CD containing all Assembly reports. In addition, the OGA uses recycled
paper and participates in convention-center recycling programs.

How can you limit your own personal energy use at home?  Turn off lights and
air conditioning when you're not home; be thoughtful about your consumption
of disposable items; recycle paper, cans, cardboard, and glass whenever
possible; and praise God for the beauty of Earth and all creation.

For more information about the Rosebud Wind Turbine Project, visit
www.nativeenergy.com/ejo .

This story and many others may have photos, media, video clips that can be
found at http://www.pcusa.org/ga216/.

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